Destinations

When wine lovers think about Bordeaux the first thought is often “the best wines in the world.” The second thought is quite often “too bad that I can’t afford them.” But there is no need to skip the Bordeaux region because of cost. Not all good Bordeaux wines have crazy prices. Sure a bottle of a great vintage Lafite Rothschild or Château Ausone can cost you a few months’ pay. But keep in mind that there are more than 6000 wineries in the Bordeaux region. And many make excellent wines that can cost as little as $15 or $20.
[...]

Luxurious five-star accommodations, prize-winning architecture, world-class gourmet food and the finest wines. Where are we? St. Tropez? Paris? Rome? Nope! It's Portugal, the unsung luxury destination at the southwestern tip of Europe.
We recently had the opportunity to be guests at a "Five-Star Trio" of hotels in three magnificent regions of Portugal. This cooperative marketing program (http://www.martinhal.com/offers/sites/lisbon-alentejo-martinhal-en.html) is the brainchild of Chitra and Roman Stern, developers and owners of Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel, the relatively new (2010) five-star resort, as a way to introduce visitors to this varied and enchanting country.
[...]

There are legends born every day. But sometimes it's not until after they're gone that we appreciate their greatness. Fortunately, there's one heroine in our midst who is very much alive and with us. She’s responsible for some of the best winemakers in the heart of one of the wine world's most prestigious regions. Her name is Jeanne-Marie de Champs, and for those who know her, she is truly the Queen of Burgundy. For this amazing woman, it's not about power. It's not about money. It's all about having the greatest wine in the world. And as Jeanne-Marie will tell you, there's only one way to accomplish that. "In Burgundy, the secret is in the vines!"
[...]

When it comes to wine from New Zealand, most people think of only one varietal, and its corresponding wine region. That’s Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough district at the north end of the South Island, of course, which is justifiably renowned, it is true. But there’s much more to that island nation’s vast world of wine than that uniquely crisp and grassy quaff, a fact that is proven every November at the annual Air New Zealand Wine Awards. In 2008, the awards attracted over 1700 entries from New Zealand’s ten winegrowing regions, with the big winners coming not from the Marlborough, but from the Hawke’s Bay.
[...]

Looking for a fun, active, sports-themed vacation? Then consider the new breed of active trips known as “sportcations.” How about a long weekend of soaking up California’s sun, sand, and beautiful views, paired with watching the best of professional beach volleyball? Or if watching isn’t close to being enough activity for you, what about taking a trip to paradise to get into the action yourself and take on the pros at their own games?
[...]

Belize was a place on my Bucket List (the list of things to do and places to see before I die), so I was thrilled to finally be heading to that small Central American country and its very, very big Blue Hole.
[...]

“I can’t believe how Costa Rica has changed,” said my traveling companion, a surfing addict who has been traveling to that beautiful Central American country since the 1980’s, just as he got set to hit a towering drive straight toward the pin on Hole 4 of the Four Seasons Costa Rica golf course.
[...]